January 2010
Monthly Archive
January 31, 2010
Cherished Carousel Begins a 2nd Century
Spokane’s beautifully preserved Looff Carousel begins a second century of delighting children and adults. Built in 1909 and considered to be the last operating carousel created by Charles Looff the hand-carved wooden carousel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This Spokane treasure is frequently listed as one of the top five carousels in the country and has one of the highest number of riders each year.
Aligned three abreast, 54 horses prance around the wooden platform. All are jumpers, carved in a running position, and move up and down with the rotation of the carousel. This is the only one made by Looff on which all of the horses are jumpers. A giraffe, one tiger and two dragon chariots complete the carousel.
Spokane’s Looff debuted July 1909 in Natatorium Park, operating there until 1967 when the park closed. It was brought out of storage after Spokane’s Expo ‘74 and reassembled in the world’s fair Bavarian Garden building.
We don’t consider a trip to Spokane complete without a few turns on the historic carousel in Riverfront Park. On sunny summer days, during chilly spring rains or snowy Christmas holidays there’s something magically and rejuvenating about climbing atop a bejeweled jumper, the ringing of the starting bell and music from the band organ. We gallop along at a brisk 7-mph pace with the outside riders 
stretching out with each rotation in hopes of grabbing the golden ring. Those who succeed receive a free ride. Awaiting our turn we careful scrutinize the passing array of horses. Do we want to mount a red sorrel, dapple gray or strawberry pinto? Each horse is individually painted and adorned in colorful “trappings”, tails are made from real horse hair and color coordinated.
More than a quarter of a million riders experience the Spokane Looff carousel each year. My first ride on this treasure was in 1983; I hope to never loss my enthusiasm for a spin.
The Art of the Carousel
In celebration of the Looff carousel anniversary an exhibition of artifacts and artwork is showcased at the Chase Gallery in Spokane’s City Hall. The Art of the Carousel, on display until February 28, 2010, features antique horses and figures, horses under construction, original artworks and historical details. Chase Gallery is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5 pm.
January 29, 2010
Ski the Butte – $99/Person
More than two feet of fresh powder in the last week, the sun is out, the sky is blue – how many more reasons do you need to escape to Crested Butte for great skiing? Does lodging and skiing for $99 cinch the deal?
Call Crested Butte Vacations at 800-810-7669 to reserve your stay during this limited time offer. The package price is per person, per night and includes one day adult lift ticket and lodging for one night at The Grand Lodge Crested Butte in either a 2 King Emmons Studio or a Standard King Suite, based on double occupancy. Valid for travel through 2/12/10.
This package deal is only available by calling Crested Butte Vacations. Call now to enjoy the legendary terrain and excellent conditions on uncrowded slopes. Skip the traffic and head to Crested Butte.
Photo by Tom Stillo, courtesy of Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association
January 27, 2010
Winter Sweepstakes
Because I would love to win, my selfish side hesitates to share this opportunity but my better half wins out. The Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau is holding a Winter Sweepstakes for a free getaway to the Duke City.
The Albuquerque Getaway Sweepstakes Package for two includes:
-
$50
Q Card, preloaded with admission into the following attractions:
Enter the Albuquerque Getaway Sweepstakes before February 28, 2010 at http://www.itsatrip.org/sweepstakes_winter/default.aspx.
In previous posts I’ve shared many of the attractions and activities Albuquerque offers visitors. Native American arts and cultures, science, history, nature, shopping, sports, gaming, unique Southwestern dining – a multitude of days and nights can be filled with fascinating and fun options. I’ve made my entry in the sweepstakes.
Click to View Previous Albuquerque Posts:
Old Town Albuquerque Museums
Albuquerque Cultural Centers
Albuquerque Wineries
Old Town Albuquerque
Corrales
Hanselmann Pottery
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
January 23, 2010
From Loveland With Love
Can it really be time to think about sending Valentine cards? Volunteers in The Sweetheart City of Loveland, Colorado are gearing up for their busiest weeks of the year. Since 1947 the Loveland program has re-mailed more than 12 million Valentines with special cachets and verses – the largest postmark re-mailing program in the world. The Loveland Chamber of Commerce operates the program in partnership with the Loveland Post Office which creates a special annual cancellation.
Each year a pictorial and love verse are selected from dozens of entries. The art for this year’s cachet was designed by Teresa Boynton. Wearing a cowboy get-up "Dan Cupid" aims his arrow to send the 2010 message written by Stan Griep, 
“Love From Cupid’s Arrow
Comes Straight ‘n’ True
From Loveland, Colorado
Direct to You!”
Over 200,000 Valentines from every state and 100+ countries will arrive in Loveland. Beginning at 9am, Feb. 1st more than 60 volunteers will gather to hand stamp the cupid cachet and love verse – a true labor of love.
The 2010 "Official Loveland Valentine Card" designed by Tracie Jenkins and produced by the Chamber of Commerce can be ordered by calling 970-667-6311, on the web or in Northern Colorado retail outlets.
Wanda Quist wrote the 2010 card verse:
“Sending this greeting on Cupid’s dart
From the City of Loveland, a city with heart.
Hoping this message fills your heart too
Here’s a Happy Valentine Wish for you!
To receive the Loveland cancellation and Valentine cachet, enclose pre-addressed cards affixed with the proper postage in a larger envelope and mail 1st class to:
Postmaster – Attention Valentines
446 E. 29th St.
Loveland, CO 80538-9998
The cards are removed from the larger envelope at the Post Office. To ensure delivery by Valentine’s Day 2010, foreign mail must be received in Loveland by February 3, U.S. destined mail by February 8, and in-state Colorado by February 11. Many Colorado King Soopers and City Market stores have Loveland Valentine Re-mailing boxes where you can drop off your pre-stamped and addressed cards. Be sure to attach the correct postage on your cards.
Add a little extra love from Loveland to your Valentines this year.
The 2010 cachet and card courtesy Loveland Chamber of Commerce
January 23, 2010
What’s Scheduled?
Sunday – January 24, 2010
The sixteenth and final day of the 104th Annual National Western Stock Show, Horse Show and Rodeo. Check the NWSS schedule web pages for times and locations.
Religious Services:
- Fellowship of Christian Cowboys Service
Especially for Youth – these events run throughout the show:
- Pony Trails
- Petting Zoo
- Youth Art Show
- Stick Horse Grand Prix
- CSU Ag Adventure at Children’s Ranchland
Exhibitions, Classes, Programs and Events:
- Draft Horse & Mule Performance Classes
- Sheep Shearing Contest, (Junior , Intermediate and Pro)
- Stock Dog Trials (Open Sheep Competition)
- Draft Horse & Mule Performance Classes Featuring Feed Team Race Finals, Open 6-Horse Hitch & 8-Horse Hitch and Heavy Weight Pull – Ticketed Event
- Stock Dog Trials (Final Open Sheep Competition)
- Equine Therapy Demonstrations & Interactive Programs
In the Coliseum – Ticketed Event:
- PRCA ProRodeo – Rodeo Finals featuring Westernaires, Frontier Airlines Mutton Bustin
Also check out the ongoing livestock exhibits, Hall of Education, the Coors Western Art Exhibit and the hundreds of exhibitors that make the National Western the largest consumer show of the year in Colorado.
That’s it for this year; see you back in Denver January2011 for the 105th Annual National Western Stock Show, Horse Show and Rodeo.
Photos courtesy National Western Stock Show
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January 22, 2010
Posted by Nancy Yackel under
Travel | Tags:
Colorado,
Denver,
Event |
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What’s Scheduled?
Saturday – January 23, 2010
Watch the stock dog trials, bison sale, the mule parade hitch or one of three rodeos scheduled today at the 104th Annual National Western Stock Show, Horse Show and Rodeo. Check the NWSS schedule web pages for times and locations.
Saturday Stock Shows: 
- Junior Ewe Lamb Showmanship (Meat & Wool Breeds)
- Open Prospect Steer Show
- Breeding Sheep Shows (Wool Breeds, Natural Colored)Texas Longhorn Youth Halter Show
- Texas Longhorn Show (Haltered)
Especially for Youth – these events run throughout the show:
- Pony Trails
- Petting Zoo
- Youth Art Show
- Stick Horse Grand Prix
- CSU Ag Adventure at Children’s Ranchland
Exhibitions, Classes, Programs and Events:
- Draft Horse & Mule Performance
- Stock Dog Trials (Cattle Finals) – Stockyards
- Stock Dog Trials (Intermediate Sheep Competition)
- Draft Horse & Mule Performance Classes Featuring Feed Team Race, 4-Horse Hitch and Middle Weight Pull – Ticketed Event
- Draft Horse & Mule Performance Featuring Feed Team Race, North American 6-Horse Hitch World Championship Finals & Mule Para
de Hitch – Ticketed Event
Sales:
- National Highland Sale
- National Gold Trophy Bison Sale
- Miniature Hereford World Sale
In the Coliseum – Ticketed Event:
- 11am – PRCA ProRodeo – featuring Westernaires and Frontier Airlines Mutton Bustin
- 3:30pm – PRCA ProRodeo – featuring Westernaires and Frontier Airlines Mutton Bustin
- 8pm – PRCA ProRodeo – featuring Westernaires and Frontier Airlines Mutton Bust
in
Also check out the ongoing livestock exhibits, Hall of Education, the Coors Western Art Exhibit and the hundreds of exhibitors that make the National Western the largest consumer show of the year in Colorado.
Photos courtesy National Western Stock Show
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January 22, 2010
What’s Scheduled?
Friday – January 22, 2010
The auction of National Junior Livestock occurs at 6:30pm today at the 104th Annual National Western Stock Show, Horse Show and Rodeo. Check the NWSS schedule web pages for times and locations.
Friday Stock Shows:
- Miniature Hereford World Show
- National Bison Judging
- National Highland Show
- Breeding Sheep Shows (Meat Breeds)
- Texas Longhorn Show (Unhaltered)
- Open Prospect Heifer Show
- Yak Halter Show
Especially for Youth – these events run throughout the show:
- Pony Trails
- Petting Zoo
- Youth Art Show
- Stick Horse Grand Prix
- CSU Ag Adventure at Children’s Ranchland
Exhibitions, Classes, Programs and Events:
- Draft Horse & Mule Halter Classes
- Stock Dog Trials (Cattle Preliminaries)
- Draft Horse & Mule Performance Classes
- Tractor Races
- Sheep Lead Competition
- Dog Agility Games
- Draft Horse & Mule Performance Classes Featuring Feed Team Race, North American 6-Hitch Classic Series Finals and Light Weight Pull – Ticketed Event
Sales:
- Auction of Junior Livestock Champions
In the Coliseum – Ticketed Event:
- 2pm – PRCA ProRodeo – featuring Westernaires
- 7:30pm – PRCA ProRodeo – featuring Freestyle Bullfight, Westernaires, Mutton Bustin
Also check out the ongoing livestock exhibits, Hall of Education, the Coors Western Art Exhibit and the hundreds of exhibitors that make the National Western the largest consumer show of the year in Colorado.
Photos courtesy National Western Stock Show
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January 21, 2010
What’s Scheduled?
Thursday – January 21, 2010
the 104th Annual National Western Stock Show, Horse Show and Rodeo. Check the NWSS schedule web pages for times and locations.
Thursday Stock Shows: 
- National Tarentaise Show
- Stock Dog Sale Preview
- Junior Market Beef Show
- Yak Pen Show
- Highland Junior Breeding Heifer Show followed by Highland Market Steer and Prospect Calves Show
Especially for Youth – these events run throughout the sh
ow:
- Pony Trails
- Petting Zoo
- Youth Art Show
- Stick Horse Grand Prix
- CSU Ag Adventure at Children’s Ranchland
Exhibitions, Classes, Programs and Events:
- Draft Horse Halter Classes
- An Evening of Dancing Horses – Ticketed Event
- Chuckwagon Celebrity Beef Cook-Off
- Tractor Races
- Draft Horse & Mule Performance Log Skid Race
- American Junior Highland Association Junior Challenge
- North American Classic Six-Horse Hitch Finals
Sales:
- Second Annual Stock Dog Sale
In the Coliseum – Ticketed Event:
- 10:30am – PRCA ProRodeo – Featuring Westernaires and Frontier Airlines Mutton Bustin
- 7:00pm – PRCA ProRodeo – featuring Freestyle Bullfight, Westernaires, Mutton Bustin
Also check out the ongoing livestock exhibits, Hall of Education, the Coors Western Art Exhibit and the hundreds of exhibitors that make the National Western the largest consumer show of the year in Colorado.
Photos courtesy National Western Stock Show
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January 19, 2010
What’s Scheduled?
Wednesday – January 20, 2010
The 104th Annual National Western Stock Show, Horse Show and Rodeo honors 4-H members and leaders today. Check the NWSS schedule web pages for times and locations.
Wednesday Stock Shows: 
- Simmental Female Show
- Junior Market Swine Show
- National Western Commercial Heifer Show followed by CCA Producers’ Show
- Junior Market Beef Showmanship
- Junior Market Swine Championship Selection
Especially for Youth – these events run throughout the show:
- Pony Trails
- Petting Zoo
- Youth Art Show
- Stick Horse Grand Prix
- CSU Ag Adventure at Children’s Ranchland
Exhibitions, Classes, Programs and Events:
- Open Horse Show Performance Classes
- Tractor Races
- Andis Cattle Grooming Demonstration
- American Junior Highland Cattle Association Activities
- NARHA Demonstration
- Equine Therapy Demonstrations & Interactive Programs
- Pfizer Stockman’s Night Barbeque
- An Evening of Dancing Horses – Ticketed Event
Sales:
- Bellringer Commercial Female Sale
In the Coliseum – Ticketed Event:
- 2pm – PRCA ProRodeo – featuring Westernaires, 4-H Day
- 7:30pm – PRCA ProRodeo – featuring Freestyle Bullfight, Westernaires, Mutton Bustin, Conservationist of the Year Award
Also check out the ongoing livestock exhibits, Hall of Education, the Coors Western Art Exhibit and the hundreds of exhibitors that make the National Western the largest consumer show of the year in Colorado.
Photos courtesy National Western Stock Show
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January 18, 2010
What’s Scheduled?
Tuesday – January 19, 2010
Super Dogs, stick horses and swine shine today at the 104th Annual National Western Stock Show, Horse Show and Rodeo. There’s still lots of action to come. Check the NWSS schedule web pages for times and locations.
Tuesday Stock Shows:
- Pens of 3 & 5 Prospect Calves Show
- Simmental Jr Breeding Heifer Show/Simmental Bull Show
- Junior Market Swine Showmanship
Especially for Youth – these events run throughout the show:
- Pony Trails
- Petting Zoo
- Youth Art Show
- Stick Horse Grand Prix
- CSU Ag Adventure at Children’s Ranchland
Exhibitions, Classes, Programs and Events:
- Open Horse Show Performance Classes
- Tractor Races
- Super Dogs Pat & Chat
- CSU Institute for Livestock & the Environment
- Dog Fly Ball Games
- Super Dogs – Ticketed Event
Sales:
- Pens of 3 & 5 Prospect Calves Sale
In the Coliseum – Ticketed Event:
- 2pm – PRCA ProRodeo – featuring Westernaires and FFA Heifer Wrangle
- 7:30pm – PRCA ProRodeo – featuring Westernaires, FFA Heifer Wrangle, Frontier Airlines Mutton Bustin
Also check out the ongoing livestock exhibits, Hall of Education, the Coors Western Art Exhibit and the hundreds of exhibitors that make the National Western the largest consumer show of the year in Colorado.
Photos courtesy National Western Stock Show
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Spokane’s beautifully preserved Looff Carousel begins a second century of delighting children and adults. Built in 1909 and considered to be the last operating carousel created by Charles Looff the hand-carved wooden carousel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This Spokane treasure is frequently listed as one of the top five carousels in the country and has one of the highest number of riders each year.
stretching out with each rotation in hopes of grabbing the golden ring. Those who succeed receive a free ride. Awaiting our turn we careful scrutinize the passing array of horses. Do we want to mount a red sorrel, dapple gray or strawberry pinto? Each horse is individually painted and adorned in colorful “trappings”, tails are made from real horse hair and color coordinated.
